Removable camera lens cover

ABSTRACT

A camera is configured for use with a removable camera lens cover, which can be secured to or removed from the camera by a user without the use of a tool set. The mechanism which allows the lens cover to be secured to and removed from the camera includes a set of wires embedded into the lens cover and a set of wedges protruding from the lens wall of the camera. To secure the lens cover to the camera, the lens cover is placed onto the front of the camera and rotated until the wires align with corresponding wedges, securing the wires underneath the tapered surface of the wedges. To remove the lens cover from the camera, a force is applied outward and normal to the lens cover, causing the wires to flex outward and enabling the rotation and removal of the lens cover from the camera.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to cameras, and more specifically, to aremovable lens cover for a camera.

Description of the Related Art

Digital cameras are increasingly used in outdoors and sportsenvironments. Lens covers protect a camera lens from damage in suchenvironments. However, lens covers themselves may become scratched orotherwise damaged during use. Replacing lens covers traditionallyrequires the use of extensive tool sets in a labor-intensive process.Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified lens cover replacementsystem for action cameras used in outdoors and sports environments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which willbe more readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the components of an example camera system, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a camera for use with thecamera system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a rear of a camera for usewith the camera system, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the rotation of a removable camera lens coverto secure the lens cover to a camera, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a rear side of the removablecamera lens cover of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a camera for use with aremovable lens cover, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a mechanism forsecuring a removable lens cover to a camera, according to oneembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figuresdepict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles described herein.

Overview Configuration

In one embodiment, a camera is configured for use with a removablecamera lens cover. The lens cover can be secured to or removed from thecamera by a user without the use of a tool set. The mechanism whichallows the lens cover to be secured to and removed from the cameraincludes a set of wires embedded into the lens cover and a set of wedgesprotruding from the lens wall of the camera. The wires are secured ontoa rear surface of the lens cover with a securing mechanism, such asscrews. The wedges protrude from the outside surface of the lens wallopposite each other and taper outwards towards the normal plane of thelens wall. The lens cover includes a hole within the rear surface of thelens cover to accommodate the lens wall of the camera.

To secure the lens cover to the camera, the lens cover is placed overthe lens wall of the camera such that the hole within the rear surfaceof the lens cover is aligned with the lens wall and until the rearsurface of the lens cover abuts a front surface of the lens wall.Subsequently, the lens cover is rotated relative to the camera untileach wire aligns with a corresponding different wedge. In thisconfiguration, the wires of the lens cover are secured underneath thetapered surface of the wedges of the camera, preventing the lens coverfrom being removed from or rotating relative to the camera. To removethe lens cover from the camera in the same embodiment, a force isapplied to the lens cover away from and normal to the front surface ofthe camera. The applied force causes the wires of the lens cover toslide along the corresponding tapered surface of the wedges of thecamera, flexing the wires outward and away from each other and enablingthe rotation, and thereby removal, of the lens cover from the camera.

Example Camera System Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating electronic components of a camera100, according to one embodiment. The camera 100 of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 includes one or more microcontrollers 102, a system memory 104, asynchronization interface 106, a controller hub 108, one or moremicrophone controllers 110, an image sensor 112, a lens and focuscontroller 114, a color model engine 116, one or more lenses 120, one ormore LED lights 122, one or more buttons 124, one or more microphones126, an I/O port interface 128, a display 130, and an expansion packinterface 132.

The camera 100 includes one or more microcontrollers 102 (such as aprocessor) that control the operation and functionality of the camera100. For instance, the microcontrollers 102 can execute computerinstructions stored on the memory 104 to perform the functionalitydescribed herein. It should be noted that although LUT generation andcolor model conversion are described herein as performed by the camera100, in practice, the camera 100 can capture image data, can provide theimage data to an external system (such as a computer, a mobile phone, oranother camera), and the external system can generate a LUT based on thecaptured image data.

A lens and focus controller 114 is configured to control the operation,configuration, and focus of the camera lens 120, for instance based onuser input or based on analysis of captured image data. The image sensor112 is a device capable of electronically capturing light incident onthe image sensor 112 and converting the captured light to image data.The image sensor 112 can be a CMOS sensor, a CCD sensor, or any othersuitable type of image sensor, and can include correspondingtransistors, photodiodes, amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, andpower supplies.

A system memory 104 is configured to store executable computerinstructions that, when executed by the microcontroller 102, perform thecamera functionalities described herein. The system memory 104 alsostores images captured using the lens 120 and image sensor 112. Thememory 104 can include volatile memory (e.g., random access memory(RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., a flash memory), or a combinationthereof.

A synchronization interface 106 is configured to communicatively couplethe camera 100 with external devices, such as a remote control, anothercamera (such as a slave camera or master camera), a computer, or asmartphone. The synchronization interface 106 may transfer informationthrough a network, which allows coupled devices, including the camera100, to exchange data other over local-area or wide-area networks. Thenetwork may contain a combination of wired or wireless technology andmake use of various connection standards and protocols, such as WiFi,IEEE 1394, Ethernet, 802.11, 4G, or Bluetooth.

A controller hub 108 transmits and receives information from user I/Ocomponents. In one embodiment, the controller hub 108 interfaces withthe LED lights 122, the display 130, and the buttons 124. However, thecontroller hub 108 can interface with any conventional user I/Ocomponent or components. For example, the controller hub 308 may sendinformation to other user I/O components, such as a speaker.

A microphone controller 110 receives and captures audio signals from oneor more microphones, such as microphone 126A and microphone 126B. Themicrophone controller 110 is configured to control the operation of themicrophones 126. In some embodiments, the microphone controller 110selects which microphones from which audio data is captured. Forinstance, for a camera 100 with multiple microphone pairs, themicrophone controller 110 selects one microphone of the pair to captureaudio data.

Additional components connected to the microcontroller 102 include anI/O port interface 128 and an expansion pack interface 132. The I/O portinterface 128 may facilitate the camera 100 in receiving or transmittingvideo or audio information through an I/O port. Examples of I/O ports orinterfaces include USB ports, HDMI ports, Ethernet ports, audioports,and the like. Furthermore, embodiments of the I/O port interface 128 mayinclude wireless ports that can accommodate wireless connections.Examples of wireless ports include Bluetooth, Wireless USB, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), and the like. The expansion pack interface 132 isconfigured to interface with camera add-ons and removable expansionpacks, such as an extra battery module, a wireless module, and the like.

FIG. 2A illustrates a camera 200 for use with the camera systemsdescribed herein, according to one example embodiment. The camera 200 isconfigured to capture images and video, and to store captured images andvideo for subsequent display or playback. The camera 200 is adapted tofit within a camera housing, such as the housing 100 discussed above orany other housing described herein. As illustrated, the camera 200includes a lens 202 configured to receive light incident upon the lensand to direct received light onto an image sensor internal to the lens.The lens 202 is enclosed by a lens ring 204.

The camera 200 can include various indicators, including the LED lights206 and the LED display 208 shown in FIG. 2A. When the camera 200 isenclosed within the housing 100, the LED display 208 is configured tosubstantially align with the indicator window 106, and the LED lights206 are configured to be visible through the housing 100. The camera 200can also include buttons 210 configured to allow a user of the camera tointeract with the camera, to turn the camera on, and to otherwiseconfigure the operating mode of the camera. The camera 200 can alsoinclude one or more microphones 212 configured to receive and recordaudio signals in conjunction with recording video. The side of thecamera 200 includes an I/O interface 214. Though the embodiment of FIG.2A illustrates the I/O interface 214 enclosed by a protective door, theI/O interface can include any type or number of I/O ports or mechanisms,such as USC ports, HDMI ports, memory card slots, and the like.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a rear of a camera 200 for usewith the camera system, according to one embodiment. The camera 200includes a display 218 configured to display camera information or imageinformation (such as captured images or viewfinder images). The cameraalso includes an expansion pack interface 220 configured to receive aremovable expansion pack, such as a display module, an extra batterymodule, a wireless module, and the like. Removable expansion packs, whencoupled to the camera 200, provide additional functionality to thecamera via the expansion pack interface 220.

Removable Camera Lens Cover

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the rotation of a removable camera lens coverto secure the lens cover to a camera, according to one embodiment. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 3A, the removable lens cover 300 is placed overthe lens of and onto the front surface of the camera 200 in a rotatedposition relative to the camera, illustrating an unlocked configuration.In the unlocked configuration, the removable lens cover 300 can beremoved from the camera 200 or can be rotated and secured to the camera.In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the removable lens cover 300 is shown in alocked configuration. In the locked configuration, the removable lenscover 300 is rotated from the unlocked configuration illustrated in FIG.3A to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 3B, thereby securing theremovable lens cover to the camera 200. In some embodiments, when theremovable lens cover 300 is in the unlocked configuration, the removablelens cover can be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise relative to thecamera 200 to configure the removable lens cover into the lockedconfiguration.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the removable lens cover 300 issubstantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners, though in otherembodiments, the removable lens cover can be any suitable shape. In someembodiments, the removable lens cover 300 includes an outer wall with atop segment, a bottom segment, a left segment, and a right segment. Theremovable lens cover also includes a transparent protective lens surface302 affixed to the outer wall. In some embodiments, when the removablelens cover 300 is configured in the locked configuration, one or more ofthe top segment, the bottom segment, the right segment, and the leftsegment are either substantially parallel with one or more surfaces ofthe camera 200 or are substantially flush with one or more surfaces ofthe camera. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the top segmentand the right segment of the removable lens cover outer wall aresubstantially flush with the top surface and the right surface of thecamera 200, respectively.

In the locked configuration shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3B, theprotective lens surface 302 shields the lens 202 of the camera 200 fromoutside elements which can cause damage to the lens. A watertight sealis created between a rear surface of the removable lens cover 300 and afront surface of the camera 200, creating a cavity between the cameraand the removable lens cover and preventing water, debris, and otheroutside elements from entering the cavity and causing damage to thecamera. In some embodiments, a portion of the outer wall of theremovable lens cover 300 is made of a thermally conductive material andacts as a heat sink for the excess heat created by camera components(such as image processors, image sensors, and the like) thermallycoupled to the outer wall by a thermal conduit adjacent to or abuttingthe camera components and the outer wall. In the locked configurationshown in the embodiment of FIG. 3B, heat from the camera components istransferred to the thermal conduit (which can be located within thecamera), to the outer front surface of the camera 200 under theremovable lens cover 300, and to the thermally conductive material ofthe outer wall of the removable lens cover, where it is dissipated, forinstance by water or air. These thermal channels provide a pathway totransfer the excess heat from internal camera components out of thecamera 200 via the removable lens cover 300, preventing overheating andpotential damage to the camera.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a rear side of the removablecamera lens cover of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment. The rear sideof the removable lens cover 300 includes a lens hole 404 located in thecenter of the removable lens cover, aligning with the lens 202 of thecamera 200 when the removable lens cover is configured in the lockedconfiguration. Surrounding the lens hole 404 is a plurality of notches408 protruding outward from the rear surface and radially away from thelens hole. In some embodiments, the plurality of notches 408 interlockwith a reciprocal plurality of grooves on the camera 200 to ensurecorrect alignment of the removable lens cover 300 when it is configuredin the locked configuration with the camera. In the embodiment of FIG.4, the plurality of notches 408 are substantially rectangular in shape,but in other embodiments, the plurality of notches can be any shape,size, or configuration.

The rear side of the removable lens cover 300 also includes a pluralityof flexible securing structures 400 a and 400 b (collectively “400”hereinafter). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the flexible securingstructures 400 can be a set of wires in a parallel configuration onopposite sides of the removable lens cover 300. In some embodiments,each end of each wire is embedded into a partial channel (such aspartial channel 410) on the rear side of the removable lens cover 300.The ends of the wires are secured into the partial channels, forinstance, using screws 406, latches, adhesives, or any suitable securingmechanism. In some embodiments, each end of a wire is embedded into oneof a corresponding pair of partial channels, each partial channel in thepair of partial channels being substantially aligned and/or collinear.Spanning between each pair of partial channels is a clearance space forwedges of the camera 200 (as described below), beneficially allowing thewedges to abut the flexible securing structures 400 in the lockedconfiguration. The material of the flexible securing structures 400 canbe made of a type of metal, such as aluminum or steel, and can be rigidenough to retain its position in the locked configuration but flexibleenough to allow the removable lens cover 300 to be removed from thecamera 200. In other embodiments, the flexible securing structures 400may be rods, cylinders, pins, dowels, and the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a camera for use with aremovable lens cover, according to one embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, the camera 200 includes a lens wall 500 which surrounds the lens202. The lens wall 500 includes a plurality of wedges 504 that protrudeand taper outwards from the outside surface 502 of the lens wall 500. Insome embodiments, each wedge 504 corresponds to a reciprocal flexiblesecuring structure 400 such that each wedge aligns with a reciprocalflexible securing structure when the removable lens cover 300 is in thelocked configuration. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, each wedge 504 isconfigured such that it will secure a flexible securing structure 400underneath the tapered surface of the wedge when the removable lenscover 300 is in the locked configuration. In such a configuration, theflexible securing structure substantially abuts a portion of the taperedsurface of the wedge 504, preventing the removable lens cover 300 fromrotating absent the application of an outward force being applied to theremovable lens cover and securing the removable lens cover to the frontsurface 506 of the camera 200.

In some embodiments, each wedge 504 applies an outward force on thereciprocal flexible securing structure 400, but the applied force isless than a threshold force required to flex the flexible securingstructure outward enough such that the removable lens cover 300 can berotated relative to the camera 200.When a threshold force is applied onthe removable lens cover outward and normal to the camera, the wedges504 exert a corresponding force on the flexible securing structures 400,causing the flexible securing structures to flex outward and away fromthe lens wall 500, beneficially enabling the removable lens cover torotate relative to the camera such that the removable lens cover can beconfigured from the locked configuration into the unlockedconfiguration, and thus removed from the camera 200.

The camera 200 also includes a plurality of grooves 508 indented intothe top surface of the lens wall 500. The locations and shape of theplurality of grooves 508 correspond to the locations and shape of theplurality of notches 408 on the removable lens cover 300. Accordingly,when the removable lens cover 300 is in the locked configuration, eachof the plurality of notches 408 is inserted into a corresponding groove508, beneficially ensuring the correct alignment of the removable lenscover when it is in a locked configuration and further preventing therotation of the removable lens cover.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mechanism for securing aremovable lens cover to a camera, according to one embodiment. In theembodiment of FIG. 6A, the illustrated cross-section shows the camera200 and the removable lens cover 300 in the locked configuration. In thelocked configuration, the rear surface of the removable lens cover 300abuts the lens wall 500, and the flexible securing structures 400 abutthe tapered surfaces of the corresponding wedges 504 of the camera 200.In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the distance d 604 represents the distancebetween the flexible securing structures 400. In the lockedconfiguration, the distance d 604 is at its minimum length, allowing theplurality of flexible securing structures 400 to substantially retaintheir position underneath the plurality of wedges 504 and preventing theremovable lens cover 300 from rotating relative to and being removedfrom the camera 200.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective, cross-sectional view of a mechanismfor removing a removable lens cover from a camera, according to oneembodiment. To remove the removable lens cover 300 from the camera 200,a threshold force 600 is applied to the removable lens cover by a userof the camera, outwardly normal to the front surface of the removablelens cover. For each of the wedges 504 in the plurality of wedges in theembodiment of FIG. 6B, when the threshold force 600 is applied, thethreshold force causes the wedge to apply a reciprocal force 602 to theflexible securing structure 400, thereby causing the flexible securingstructure to flex outward and slide along the tapered surface away fromthe lens wall 500. When the flexible securing structures 400 flexoutward from the lens wall, the distance d 604 increases, therebyenabling the rotation and removal of the removable lens cover from thecamera 200. In other embodiments, the wedges 504 are configured in anopposite configuration such that the threshold force 600 applied to theremovable lens cover 300 is inwardly normal to the front surface of theremovable lens cover, causing a reciprocal force to flex the flexiblesecuring structures outward.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 employ a rotating mechanismto secure the removable lens cover 300 to the camera 200. In otherembodiments, the removable lens cover 300 could be attached to thecamera 200 through other securing mechanisms, such as a sliding fit, asnapping fit, a threaded fit, and the like, which allow a user to easilysecure and remove a removable lens cover from a camera without the useof a tool set.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression“coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used hereinis not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in directphysical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may alsoencompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or arestructured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.

Likewise, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof,are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skilled in the art willappreciate still additional alternative structural and functionaldesigns for detachable camera mounts as disclosed from the principlesherein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have beenillustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are not limited to the precise construction and componentsdisclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, whichwill be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in thearrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosedherein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in theappended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A camera system comprising: a cameracomprising: a lens protruding from a front surface of the camera; a lenswall surrounding the lens, the outer lens wall comprising an outsidesurface; a set of wedges protruding from and tapered towards the outsidesurface of the lens wall, each wedge comprising a wedge surface angledrelative to the outside surface of the outer lens wall; and a removablelens cover comprising: a lens hole within a rear surface of theremovable lens cover, the lens hole configured to enclose the lens whenthe removable lens cover is secured to the camera; a protective lenssurface within a front surface of the removable lens cover; and a set offlexible securing structures, each of the set of flexible securingstructures configured to align with a corresponding different wedge ofthe set of wedges such that 1) when the removable lens cover is securedto the camera, the securing structures prevent the removable lens coverfrom rotating relative to the camera or being removed from the camera,and 2) when a threshold force is applied on the removable lens coveraway from and normal to the front surface of the camera, a reciprocalforce is applied by the set of wedges onto the securing structures,causing the securing structures to flex outward and away from eachother, thereby enabling the rotation of the removable lens coverrelative to and removal of the removable lens cover from the camera. 2.The camera system of claim 1, wherein the removable lens cover issubstantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners.
 3. The camerasystem of claim 1, wherein the removable lens cover may include an outerwall with a top segment, a bottom segment, a left segment, and a rightsegment.
 4. The camera system of claim 3, wherein the protective lenssurface is affixed to the outer wall.
 5. The camera system of claim 1,wherein the camera and the removable lens cover can be configured in anunlocked configuration such that the removable lens cover can be removedfrom or rotated relative to the camera.
 6. The camera system of claim 5,wherein the removable lens cover in the unlocked configuration can berotated clockwise or counter-clockwise relative to the camera toconfigure the removable lens cover in a locked configuration.
 7. Thecamera system of claim 1, wherein the camera and the removable lenscover can be configured in a locked configuration such that theremovable lens cover is secured to the camera and prevented fromrotating relative to the camera.
 8. The camera system of claim 1,wherein the removable lens cover contains a hole within the rear surfaceof the lens cover that aligns with the lens of the camera in a lockedconfiguration.
 9. The camera system of claim 1, wherein two segments ofthe removable lens cover are either substantially parallel or aresubstantially flush with two surfaces of the camera when the removablelens cover is in a locked configuration.
 10. The camera system of claim1, wherein the set of flexible securing structures comprise one or moreof: wires, rods, cylinders, pins, and dowels.
 11. The camera system ofclaim 10, wherein each end of a flexible securing structure is embeddedinto a different one of a corresponding pair of partial channels on therear surface of the removable lens cover.
 12. The camera system of claim11, wherein the pair of partial channels are substantially collinear.13. The camera system of claim 11, wherein the pair of partial channelsare separated by a clearance space.
 14. The camera system of claim 11,wherein each end of the flexible securing structure is secured into apartial channel with a securing mechanism.
 15. The camera system ofclaim 1, wherein each wedge secures a corresponding flexible securingstructure underneath the tapered surface of the wedge when the removablelens cover is in a locked configuration.
 16. The camera system of claim1, wherein the camera further comprises a plurality of grooves withinthe front surface of the camera, and wherein the removable lens coverfurther comprises a corresponding plurality of notches protruding fromthe rear surface of the removable lens cover such that when theremovable lens cover is secured to camera, each of the plurality ofnotches is aligned with and inserted into a corresponding groove. 17.The camera system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer wall of theremovable lens cover comprises a thermally conductive material.
 18. Thecamera system of claim 17, wherein the camera further comprises achipset and a thermal conduit thermally coupled to the chip set and tothe lens wall such that heat from the chipset is transferred to thethermal conduit, to the lens wall, and to the portion of the outer wallof the removable lens cover when the removable lens cover is secured tothe camera.
 19. A camera system comprising: a camera comprising a lensand a first set of securing structures; and a removable lens covercomprising: a protective lens surface; and a second set of flexiblesecuring structures, each of the second set of flexible securingstructures configured to align with a corresponding different securingstructure of the first set of securing structures such that when theremovable lens cover is configured in a locked configuration, the firstset of securing structures and the second set of securing structuresprevent the removable lens cover from rotating relative to the camera orbeing removed from the camera, and such that when a threshold force isapplied to the removable lens cover away from the camera, the first setof securing structures and the second set of securing structure do notprevent the removable lens cover from rotating relative to the camera orbeing removed from the camera.